Heated fluid gun

ABSTRACT

A PORTABLE GUN HOUSING INCLUDING AN ELONGATED HEATCONDUCTIVE CORE THROUGH WHICH IS FORMED A CENTRAL ELONGATED STRAIGHT CENTRAL FLUID PASSAGE SURROUNDED BY A HELICAL FLUID PASSAGE AND WITH BOTH FLUID PASSAGES COMMUNICATING WITH A DISCHARGE ORIFICE IN THE FRONT OF THE HOUSING. AT LEAST ONE ELONGATED ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT EXTENDS LONGITUDINALLY THROUGH THE CORE BETWEEN THE STRAIGHT FLUID PASSAGE AND THE HELICAL FLUID PASSAGE, AND AN ELECTRICAL SUPPLY CONDUIT IS PROVIDED FOR ENERGIZING THE HEATING ELEMENT. A CONTROL VALVE LOCATED WITHIN THE BREECH OR REAR CHAMBER OF THE HOUSING HAS AN INLET CONNECTED TO A FLUID SUPPLY CONDUIT AND OUTLETS CONNECTED TO THE FLUID PASSAGES. THE VALVE HAS A CLOSED POSITION WHEREIN FLUID IS DIRECTED SOLELY TO THE HELICAL PASSAGE, A FULLY OPEN POSITION WHEREIN THE FLUID IS DIRECTED SUBSTANTIALLY SOLELY THROUGH THE STRAIGHT PASSAGE AND VARIABLE INTERMEDIATE POSITIONS BETWEEN THE CLOSED AND OPEN POSITIONS WHEREIN FLUID IS DIRECTED SIMULTANEOUSLY THROUGH BOTH PASSAGES IN PROPORTIONATE AMOUNTS CORRESPONDING TO THE INTERMEDIATE POSITION.   D R A W I N G

B35211973' EQPOSU 73,718,805

` HEATED FLUID GUN original Filed Nov. 12, A19269 2 lshuts-Smm 1 INVENTOR ELDFIDGE D. POSE( d' 2 ATTORNEY Feb. 27, 1973 E. D PosEY HEATED FLUID GUN r2 ShoetsSheet 8 Orlgina Filed Nov. l2. 1969 um bm l lNvENToR ELDRIDGED. POSEY BY n Z ATTog'EY mwa Ov. mf N bm mr Q om United States Patent Omce U.S. Cl. 219-305 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A portable gun housing including an elongated heatconductive core through which is formed a central elongated straight central fluid passage surrounded by a helical iluid passage and with both fluid passages communicating with a discharge orifice in the front of the housing. At least one elongated electrical heating element extends longitudinally through the core between the straight fluid passage and the helical duid passage, and an electrical supply conduit is provided for energizing the heating element. A control valve located within the breech or rear chamber of the housing has an inlet connected to a iiuid supply conduit and outlets connected to the fluid passages. The valve has a closed position wherein fluid is directed solely to the helical passage, a fully open position wherein the uid is directed substantially solely through the straight passage and variable intermediate positions between the closed and open positions wherein iluid is directed simultaneously through both passages in proportionate amounts corresponding to the intermediate position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a division of original application Ser. No. 875,898 tiled Nov. 12, 1969, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a Huid gun, and more particularly to a portable, heated uid gun.

Steam guns are well known in the art. However, all of the steam guns known to the applicant employ a boiler or steam generator, usually large and bulky to which a steam spray gun is attached by a steam conduit or hose. Thus, the steam is generated in the boiler or generator and then supplied to the gun through the steam conduit, so that the sole function of the gun is to distribute, spray or discharge the steam at the desired location.

Steam guns have many uses, most of which are cleaning uses, such as cleaning an automobile, automobile engines, industrial equipment, plant areas, and the floors and walls of commercial establishments. Other uses would include defrosting of large refrigerated areas, such as refrigerated box cars and truck trailers. Steam guns are also used in the apparel industry for steaming garments preparatory to pressing the garment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This heated iluid gun has been designed to overcome the above enumerated disadvantages, and specifically to provide a steam gun in which the heating apparatus or heating means is incorporated within the gun housing. Accordingly, this gun housing is rendered completely portable by eliminating large, separate steam generators and boilers and all of the valves, gauges and other accessories necessary to their operation.

This gun includes an elongated heat conductive core through which is formed a iluid passage for receiving and heating tluid, such as water, to be converted and discharged as steam.

3,718,805 Patented Feb. 27, 1973 Within the -gun housing is the heating element, such as an electrical heating cartridge, which is secured within the heating core in order to heat the core and, therefore, the iluid in the passage extending through or surrounding the core.

The gun is provided with a pistol-grip handle. The entire gun, or at least that portion surrounding the core of the ilud passage, is insulated. The only connections to the gun are a fluid line, such as a water line extending through the housing and connected to the fluid passage or passages, and an electrical cable or conduit to supply electrical power for the electrical carriage or other heating element within the gun.

By providing a circuitous route or path for the fluid through the heated core, the power requirements for heating the core may be reduced.

Although this gun is primarily designed as a steam gun, nevertheless, it is capable of handling other types of uids which are desired to be heated and discharged, such as air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Y4--4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRFERRED EMBODIMENT lReferring now to the drawings in more detail, FIGS. 1 and 2 disclose a heated liuid gun 10 comprising an elongated housing, the rear portion of which constitutes a breech chamber 12 to which is fixed a pistol-grip handle 13, and the forward portion of which comprises an elongated barrel 14 of heat insulating material. Formed within the front portion of the barrel 14 is a discharge orifice 15 of reduced cross-section.

Occupying most of the space within the barrel 14 behind the orifice 15 is a heat conductive core member 17. Extending through substantially the entire length of the core member 17 is an elongated heating element or heating cartridge 18 of well-known manufacture. Surrounding the central portion of the core member 17, which includes the heating cartridge 18, is an annular fluid passage 19. Although the exterior boundary of the fluid passage 19 is disclosed as a tubular heat-conductive sleeve 20, nevertheless, the sleeve 20 is considered generally a part of the core member 17.

As disclosed in the drawings, the Huid passage 19 occupies the entire space between the outer sleeve 20 and the central portion of the core member 17, with the exception of the spiral baille or wall 22. Thus, the .outer sleeve 20, the central portion of the core member 17 and the spiral wall 22 define a continuous helical passage or path for the uid for the entire length of the core member.

As best disclosed in FIG. 2, water is introduced into the fluid passage 19 through a pair of inlet spray nozzles 23 and 24. The spray nozzles 23 and 24 are connected through inlet conduits 25 and 26, respectively, to a common connector 27, to which uid, such as water, is supplied through a common supply pipe 28. The amount of water and, therefore, the rate of iiow is controlled by the adjustable ow control valve 30.

The electrical heater cartridge 18 is connected by electrical leads 31 and 32 through cable 33 to any suitable source of electric power. The cable 33 is held in the rear end of the cylinder 12 by means of a strain relief bushing 34.

A fluid expansion chamber 35 is located within the barrel 14 between the front end of the core member 17 and the discharge orifice 15. The front wall of the expansion chamber 35 is contoured to merge with the reduced orifice 15 in such a manner as to maintain the back-pressure of the hot fluid under control for the normal conditions under which the gun will operate. The front wall of the expansion chamber 35 as well as the discharge orifice 15 are integrally formed in the pressure control cap 36 which is in the forward portion of the barrel 14.

Fitted within the pressure control cap 36 in such a manner as to intersect and open into the discharge orifice is a fluid additive supply conduit 38. If, for example, it is desired to introduce a detergent into a stream of steam being discharged through the orifice 15, then the detergent may be introduced through the conduit 38, and drawn into the orifice 15 by the vacuum created within the orice 15.

In operating the gun 10, the water inlet conduit 28 is coupled to a source of water, and the cable 33 is connected to a source of electricity. The pistol grip 13 is then grasped in the operators hand and the gun directed at the work or surface to which the steam is to be applied.

As soon as the cartridge 18 is energized, it rapidly generates heat, 'which is transmitted through the entire core member 17, including not only the central portion surrounding the cartridge 18, but also the spiral baille or wall 22 and the heat conductive sleeve 20. Thus, the entire fluid passage 19 is rapidly heated to a high degree of temperature.

The operator controls the flow of fluids through the gun by means of the adjustable control valve 30. After a brief preheating period, the operator opens the valve 30 to permit the discharge of water from the supply line 28 through the connector 27, inlet conduits 25 and 26 and inlet nozzles 23 and 24. By providing inlet spray nozzles 23 and 24, the water can be broken up into particles which will expose the maximum amount of water surface to the heated surfaces in the fluid passage 19. As the water strikes the heated surfaces, it is rapidly heated and flashes into steam as it progresses through the passage 19. As the steam proceeds down the helical path of the passage 19, it is superheated and continues to expand and build up pressure. When the steam reaches the expansion chamber 35, it is permitted to expand to relieve some of the back pressure in the fluid passage 19. The steam is then forced through the discharge orifice which is reduced in crosssection to increase the speed of the steam. The steam then expands through the flared nozzle opening 40. A nozzle adapter 41 is provided to accommodate various designs and shapes of nozzles adapted for particular spraying jobs.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 disclose a slightly modified form of gun 50 in which all parts corresponding to the parts of the gun 10 have been indicated with the identical reference followed by a prime One of the differences between the gun 50 and the gun 10 is that the core member 17 is of larger cross-section to accommodate a cluster of heating elements, such as the three heating elements 18', disposed about the center -of the core member 17. As best disclosed in FIG. 5, the three heating cartridges 18' are equidistant from each other and radially spaced an equal distance from the center of the core member 17'. The main purpose of this construction is to permit a single straight fluid conduit 52 to be formed coaxially through the center of the core member 17 The core member 17' still incorporates the same type of fluid passage 19' and helical baille 22' as incorporated in the gun 10.

The purpose of forming a central fluid conduit 52 straight through the center of the core member 17' is to provide specifically a means for rinsing with a cooler fluid medium after a surface is cleaned with the hot Isteam generated in the spiral passage 29'.

As best disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fluid passage 19 is supplied with fluid through the spray nozzles 23' and 24' andthe conduits 25 and 26' from the control valve 27', which in turn is supplied with fluid from the supply conduit 28. In this respect, the gun 50 is similar to the gun 10. However, fluid is also supplied from the supply conduit 28 through the valve 27' by inlet conduit 53 to central conduit 52.

The control valve 27' is so constructed, that when `it is turned to its closed position, by the handle 30' Water is directed through the spray nozzles 23' and 24 only, and no water is supplied through the central inlet conduit 53. Accordingly, when the control valve 27' is in closed position, the gun 50 operates to produce steam only, for the cleaning operation. However, when the control valve 27 is partially opened, water is introduced through the central inlet 53 into the central conduit 52, and also continues to be introduced into the fluid passage 19' through the spray nozzles 23 and 24'. The result will be a steam or hot Water discharge of lower temperature than that of pure steam supplied by the gun 50. When the control valve 27' is fully opened, practically all ofthe water is discharged through the central conduit 52, which is the path of least resistance through the core member 17. Although there may be some heating of the water passing through the passage 52, nevertheless because of the straight course and the speed of the Water, this temperature rise will be minimal and will not impede its effectiveness as a rinsing medium.

Not only does the control valve 27 and the central passage 52 permit alternate cleansing and rinsing operations, but also the temperature of the discharge fluid from the discharge end of the gun 50 may be of any desired value between that of a mild or lukewarm stream of water to a very hot, superheated steam. Thus, the uses of such as gun as 50 are greatly multiplied by this great versatility in the values of the steam temperature.

Another function of the central fluid line 52 is to provide a cooling medium for cooling the heating elements 18' after the electrical power supply has been disconnected, to assist in prolonging the life of the heating elements.

It will be understood that the gun 10 could also be used to house other fluid medium, such as air, when desired. Also, either the gun 10 or 50 may be employed for other uses than cleaning. For example, the gun may be used for sterilizing, and as previously mentioned, for pressing garments in the apparel industry.

Other minor changes may be made in the construction of this gun to accommodate it to various uses, such as changes in the wattage and the length of the high-watt density cartridges 18 and 18', changing the length of the core 17 or 17', variations in the design and size of the expansion chamber 35 or 35', changing the size of the cross-section of the discharge orifice 15I or 15', and the size and shape of the nozzle opening 40 or 40. Moreover, the characteristics of the water supply may be varied by selection of different spray nozzles 23, 24, 23' and 24 by varying the water pressure in the supply line 28 or 28', or the amount of water forced through the supply line.

What is claimed is:

1. A heated fluid gun comprising:

(a) a gun housing having a rear breech chamber, an intermediate elongated heating chamber, and a front discharge orifice,

(b) an elongated, heat conductive core within, and extending the length of, said heating chamber,

(c) a straight fluid passage having an inlet in said breech chamber and extending longitudinally through the center of said core, and communicating with said discharge orifice,

(d) a helical fluid passage having an inlet in said breech chamber and extending through said core coaxially of, and spaced radially outward from, said straight fluid passage, and communicating with said discharge orifice,

(e) at least one elongated electrical heating element within, and extending substantially the length of, said core ybetween said straight fluid passage and said helical uid passage,

(f) an electrical supply conduit extending through said breech chamber and connected to said heating element,

(g) a single fluid supply line connected to said breech chamber,

(h) a uid control valve within said breech chamber having an inlet in fluid communication with said supply line, a rst outlet in uid communication with the inlet to said straight iluid passage, and a second outlet in uid communication with the inlet to said helical uid passage,

(i) said control valve having a closed position directing fluid from said supply line solely into said helical passage, a fully open position directing fluid from said supply line substantially solely through said straight passage, and variable positions between said closed and open positions directing Huid -from said supply line to both said passages simultaneously in proportionate amounts corresponding to said variable position,

(j) means on said housing for varying the positions of said control valve, and

(k) a handle fixed to said housing.

2. The invention according to claim 1 in which the inlet to said helical fluid passage comprises a spray nozzle.

3. The invention according to claim 1 in which said handle comprises a pistol-grip handle, and means insulat- 5 ing said handle from said heating chamber.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ANTHONY BARTIS, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

